Mayoral candidate Christy Lim vowed to continue the legacy of her late father Alfredo Lim should she become the next chief executive of the nation’s capital.
“My dad had a legacy na naiwan niya sa Manila, na up until now ay talagang napapakinabangan ng taong bayan (that he left in Manila, which up until now is benefiting the people),” she said during the Manila Bulletin’s Hot Seat.
“Andiyan ‘yung kanyang legasiya na napakaganda na siyang magiging pundasyon para maipagpatuloy at makapagserbisyo rin nang tama sa taong bayan (His legacy is there that is great to use as a foundation in serving the people well),” she said.
Asked what will be the first thing she will do if elected mayor, Lim said she will appoint the right people who do not only have expertise in the field but also dedication to serve the people.
While she also commends the project and programs of the current administration in the city, Lim said she will improve the services for senior citizens, create more job opportunities, improve the health care system, and push for free education.
“Ang plano ko lang paigtingin pa ang serbisyong medikal at ang serbisyong pangkabuhayan, serbisyong edukasyon. Sa palagay ko napaka-importante ng basic na pangangailangan ng mga tao dito sa lungsod ng Maynila (My plan is to further boost the medical service, the livelihood service, and the education sector. I think the basic needs of the people here in the city of Manila are very important),” he said.
Lim previously led the organization Lakas ng Inang Manilenyo that encouraged women to also serve the community besides their own families.
“I had this organization during the time of my tatay (father). I was able to help the people, nabigyan ko sila ng trabaho, nabigyan ko sila ng pangkabuhayan (I was able to give them jobs and livelihood), even though I’m outside of politics. ‘Yun ‘yung patuloy kong gagawin (I will pursue those programs),” she said.
“Naturuan ko po sila, na bukod sa kanilang sariling tahanan ay pwede rin silang maglingkod sa labas ng kanilang tahanan, sa nasasakupan niklang komunidad. Nandiyan din ang kapasidad nila at alam ko rin ma-de-develop rin ang pakikitungo nila sa kapwa (I taught them, that aside from their own homes, they can serve outside, in their community. They also have the capacity, and I also know that, to develop their relationship with others),” she said.
During the 12-year stint of the late Lim as Manila mayor, he was known for his major projects focused on improving the health and education sectors in the city, including the establishment of hospitals in the city’s six districts — the Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center in Tondo, Ospital ng Tondo, Justice Jose Abad Santos General Hospital in Binondo, Ospital ng Sampaloc, Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center in Malate, and Sta. Ana Hospital; and the Universidad de Manila that provides free tertiary education to poor Manilenyo students.
Crackdowns on crime and corruption in the country’s capital were also launched during his term.
Even as her father’s reputation precedes her, Lim said being a legacy candidate is not enough to guarantee success.
“Siguro ‘yung garantiya na mananalo ako because of the surname na Lim, hindi ko siguro panghahawakan ‘yan dahil syempre iba naman ‘yung nagawang legasiya ng aking ama at ako naman mag-uumpisa palang papasok sa larangan ng politika (Maybe the guarantee that I will win because of the surname Lim, I probably won't handle that because of course that’s my father's own legacy, and I will just start entering the field of politics),” she said.
Lim said her father’s legacy will always serve as her inspiration to perform her duties well for the people of Manila.
“Ang masasabi ko lamang, sa magandang nagawa ng aking ama, ‘yan ang aking magiging gabay, magiging sandalan ko kung papano makapaghain at makapagserbisyo nang tama at dapat ayon sa pangangailangan ng mga Manilenyo (All I can say is, the good work of my father will be my guide on how to serve correctly and according to the needs of the Manilenyos),” she said.
“Kung papalarin ako at mabibigyan ng pagkakataon, mas marami akong matutulungan (If I am lucky and given the opportunity to lead, I can help more).